There's over 1000 varieties of gin to choose from.
If Christmas time reminds us of nothing else, it's the fond memory of pulling out the Guiness World Record books. Many of us would scour the pages for wacky talents and find the 'world's longest fingernails' or obscure hobbies like the 'largest collection of spoons'.
For cocktail bar and gin shop owner, Shelley Green, it was the gin record that she was interested in. After her son received a Guinness World Records book for his birthday, the mum attempted to beat the records and now houses 1,026 varieties of gin.
The Evil Eye Gin Shop and Cocktail Bar holds a Guinness World Record. / Image: Evil Eye Bar
This has made Evil Eye Lounge in York the location with the most varieties of gin commercially available in the world, and has set the record for others to beat since February 2018.
Behind the gin shop is the Evil Eye cocktail bar, a speakeasy frequented by A-list celebrities and is said to be Johnny Depp's favourite watering hole. It is this shop-bar combination that has won over a range of clientele for many years, but this quirky hangout space will be seeing some major changes in 2022.
The cocktail bar has a range of quirky drinks available. / Image: Evil Eye Bar
Due to closure of the gin shop in January for maintenance, the gin shop is clearing out its collection- and offering 30% all the gin that's left in store.
The owners have stated on Instagram:
"That’s right! Big changes are coming in January and with gin becoming old hat, we’re having a clear out and you lot get to benefit!
"All the gin left in our World Record holding gin shop (excluding our own Evil Gin range) is on sale as of Black Friday (26/11/21) and will be until we close for maintenance in January.
"30% off every gin we have left (excluding our own Evil Gin range) and just in time for Christmas shopping.
"No new stock will be coming in, so it’s literally what we have left on our shelves.
"See you over the coming weeks!"
Popular and rare gins are all available. / Image: Evil Eye Bar
They have since stated that the gin shop will be open everyday to make way for their giant clearance sale. The website shows mostly sold out stock, or states that stock needs checking to update the actual amount available.
To find out what gin is left from the world's largest collection, you'll have to head in store to Evil Eye in York. Whatever the future holds for this record holder's store, it's expected to continue to be home of the 'bizarre, weird and wonderful'.
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Sophie Smith -
21st December 2021 
